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US 8,291,819 B2Granted
Rotary endorser for document processing employing a shape memory alloy actuator
AssigneeBurroughs Payment Systems, Inc.
InventorsJohan P. Bakker, Philip D. Klug
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An actuation device for an endorsing roller in an automated document processing system is disclosed. The actuation device includes a shape memory alloy actuator interconnected with an endorsing roller, the shape memory alloy actuator interconnected with the endorsing roller and configured to be actuated to move the endorsing roller from a retracted position to a printing position.
Claims11
An apparatus, comprising:
- an automated document processing system including an endorsing roller and a base plate, wherein the endorsing roller is arranged upon an upper surface of the base plate;
- and
- an actuation device arranged upon a lower surface of the base plate and in communication with the endorsing roller that is arranged upon the upper surface of the base plate, wherein the actuation device includes:
- a bracket that is fixed to the lower surface of the base plate,
- a lever arm including a first end and a second end that is movably-arranged upon the lower surface of the base plate, wherein the lever arm is connected to the endorsing roller,
- a spring connected to the first end of the lever arm, and
- a shape memory alloy actuator including a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the shape memory actuator is connected to the bracket, wherein the second end of the shape memory alloy actuator is connected to the second end of the lever arm.
4 more elements
A method, comprising the steps of:
- connecting a shape memory alloy wire to an endorsing roller of an automated document processing system;
- arranging the endorsing roller in a default, retracted position;
- changing an orientation of the endorsing roller from the default, retracted position to an engaged, printing position to permit endorsement of a document that is interfaced with the automated document processing system by:
- contracting a length of a shape memory alloy wire in response to an application of a current across the shape memory alloy wire.
1 more element
A financial network, comprising:
- a computing system;
- and
- an automated document processing system interfaced with the computing system, wherein the automated document processing system includes:
- an endorsing roller and a base plate, wherein the endorsing roller is arranged upon an upper surface of the base plate, and
- an actuation device arranged upon a lower surface of the base plate and in communication with the endorsing roller that is arranged upon the upper surface of the base plate, wherein the actuation device includes:
- a bracket that is fixed to the lower surface of the base plate,
- a lever arm including a first end and a second end that is movably-arranged upon the lower surface of the base plate, wherein the lever arm is connected to the endorsing roller,
- a spring connected to the first end of the lever arm, and
- a shape memory alloy actuator including a first end and a second end,
- wherein the first end of the shape memory actuator is connected to the bracket,
- wherein the second end of the shape memory alloy actuator is connected to the second end of the lever arm.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.